analysts say the reasons are many, china is demanding more and more every day to power their growing economy, just as opec cut their output, and here at home, refineries are shutting down for maintenance as they prepare to switch to a summer blend. then market speculation and a weaker dollar play a role. >> we have to work, we keep coming to work every day. you have to put gas in your car to come to work. >> reporter: 43 cents in a month. >> that was nbc's tom costello. >>> after a weekend, the president and staffers will be back at work this morning, but with only ten days to prevent the automatic spending cuts, one group will be absent. >> reporter: good morning, congress is away all week on recess, now strategists say they will make calls and try to come up with alternative savings. but voters here at the capitol say that is not good enough. president obama is back at the white house after a weekend golfing in florida. but congress is still away on recess, taking a break announced monday. voters in the capitol are upset that they actually went home. >> i would be hard at work. >>